Traveling with pets

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has traveled with their pet? We are looking to bring my fiancées cat to the US with him whenever our k1 visa process gets approved. I was wondering if it would be easier if I bring the cat (I'm the US citizen) or if he brings him? Also do cats get quarantined when they enter the US? I'm having a hard time finding info about this, thanks!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration Related-Discussion.

[Bubba gump 2]

I am sure there is some info on Google if you phrase it just right .

[Bubba gump 2]

Check with the us embassy . They can tell you the requirements and get you the paperwork to process. I would do this way ahead of time .

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

No quarantine unless you are going to Hawaii or Guam.

http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/cats.html

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

No quarantine unless you are going to Hawaii or Guam.

http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/cats.html

Thank you !

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Your fiancee should bring the cat. If he is flying then you also need to check with the airline's requirements. Cats should travel in cabin with their owner and count as one piece of personal luggage. The carrier needs to be airline approved and fit underneath the seat in front. The airline will have its own requirements for medical concerns. The cat should not be sedated as this can cause serious problems to the cat while flying. This need will obviously affect the choice of airlines available and you can expect some sort of additional fee for the cat.

Also check the veterinary requirements for the state to which the cat is travelling. Different states have different requirements. Generally, the most common one is an up to date rabies vaccination.

At your end, prepare for the cats arrival as well as for your fiances. Have a separate space set aside that can be a sanctuary for the cat where he can hide for a while - he will do so. Have a litter box already in place. If you can get the same litter your fiance uses at home try to get that as it will be one less strange new thing. Have water available and if you can obtain some of the same food the cat is used to eating, have that on hand. That way, the cat can be settled in very quickly and start to de-stress without having to wait for its belongings to be unpacked. Have your fiance bring a worn tshirt or some sort of small blanket or something to leave in the room with the cat as it will have his scent on it and will provide reassurance in his new home. If you have other cats or pets of your own, make sure you introduce them gradually and do not expect them to get along for a while, especially as the travelling pet will be highly stressed out by the trip.

It is a lot easier if the cat is travelling by car, but even still, car travel should not exceed 8 hours in a day and should consist of a lot of stops to allow the cat to relax. Check out pet friendly hotels on the route before arrival. Your fiance will have to pay a pet deposit but should be able to get it back later without a problem - unless of course, there is a problem:-).

I travelled with my 6 cats from Ontario, Canada to south of Atlanta Georgia. It took 2 days and my eldest cat never really recovered from the stress of the trip, and passed away 6 weeks after our arrival.

You didn't say where your fiance is coming from so that will make a difference in how the cat travels.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Kathryn41

[JessRainbows 0]

"I travelled with my 6 cats from Ontario, Canada to south of Atlanta Georgia. It took 2 days and my eldest cat never really recovered from the stress of the trip, and passed away 6 weeks after our arrival. "

I'm so sorry to hear that! How old was your eldest cat? My husband and I have 2 relatively young cats that we are bringing to the US from Japan separately because I need to leave before him. They are 2 and 3 years old but I'm really worried about the long trip.

The older one has already been on a plane before when we moved from Tokyo to Fukuoka and she recovered as soon as we got in our apartment but she was so still and stressed I thought she might pass out on the way! This time she has to be in the luggage cabin for the flight to Tokyo again but will be in the passenger cabin with me for the 10-hour flight to the US.... But then we have a 4-6 hour drive >_<

The younger one is a very small cat and has never left Fukuoka, she'll have to go through all that too! I'm so worried for them!

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I'm sorry to hear about the cat passing away.

However I have to disagree that it is less stressful to travel by car. Every cat I have ever owned - about 8 so far - has hated the car. Even 5 minutes from home to the vet is a nightmare. I would take the speed of a flight over a car with a cat any day. We had the choice between a 2 hour flight or a day's drive. The cats went by air. A bit spooked, but recovered well. I think they would have been far more freaked out by spending the time in a car. Some cats don't mind cars, but I've yet to come across one of those.

The suggestions for easing the arrival are great.

[AudreyND 14]

"I travelled with my 6 cats from Ontario, Canada to south of Atlanta Georgia. It took 2 days and my eldest cat never really recovered from the stress of the trip, and passed away 6 weeks after our arrival. "

I'm so sorry to hear that! How old was your eldest cat? My husband and I have 2 relatively young cats that we are bringing to the US from Japan separately because I need to leave before him. They are 2 and 3 years old but I'm really worried about the long trip.

The older one has already been on a plane before when we moved from Tokyo to Fukuoka and she recovered as soon as we got in our apartment but she was so still and stressed I thought she might pass out on the way! This time she has to be in the luggage cabin for the flight to Tokyo again but will be in the passenger cabin with me for the 10-hour flight to the US.... But then we have a 4-6 hour drive >_<

The younger one is a very small cat and has never left Fukuoka, she'll have to go through all that too! I'm so worried for them!

Don't worry too much. My dog, who HATE and FREAK OUT in a crate did amazing on the Okinawa-Seattle plane ride. She was very tired, nervous and slept alot after but got back to her normal happy little self few days later. Car never been a problem tho, i mean dogs LOVES car ride lol!

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Thank you! The cat would be coming from Haiti on about a 4 hour plane ride and then a two hour car ride to where I live.